Metal construction



E. E. BROWN AND 0. 1. MOONEY.

1,360,720. I Pzitegtgd 0v.30,1920.

UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD EUGENE BROWN AND DERMOT JOSEPH MOONEY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

METAL CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented NOV. 30, 1920.

Application filed December 24, 1919. Serial No. 347,251.

proved Metal Construction, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in metal constructions, and more particularly to an improved construction of spar, an object of the invention bein to provide a metal bar structure whic% combines strength with lightness of weight, and which is especially adapted for use as a spar in wings, fuselages, struts, and the like in the construction of aeroplanes.

With these and other objects in View the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, and combinations and arrangements of-parts, as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

. In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrating one form of our improved structure; and I Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7" and 8 are similar views illustrating modifications.

It will be noted that in all forms of our invention the bar is composed of plates 1 and 2 constituting the web of the bar, and

these plates 1 and 2 at their edges are secured to plates Band 4 respectively. The plates 1 and 2 are connected at their intermediate portions and this connected relatively narrow juncture of the two plates extends throughout the length of the bar, and

these joined portions of the plates land 2 are given reference numeral 5. The plates are secured together by riveting, spot welding, or any other means which will properly perform the function.

Above and below the connected portions of the plates land 2,. the plates flare outwardly or apart and these flared portions may be on straight lines as'indicated in Fig. 1, or it may be angular as indicated in Fig. 2, or it may be curved as indicated in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The upper and lower portions of the plates 1 and 2 project outwardly and are curved inwardly, as shown at 6, and the plates 3 and 4: have their edges 7 curved inwardly inclosing the curved por-' tion 6 of the p tes 2. The plates 3 and 4 are also preferablylongitudinally corrugated, as shown at 8, to give the necessary strength.

As illustrated in Figs. 4; 5, 6 and 7 vertical stiffening blocks 9 may be employed between the flanges of thebar and secured to the bar in any approved manner.

In Fig. 8, we illustrate a modification in which the plates 1 and 2 have the general angular contour as shown in Fig. 2, with the addition of longitudinal beads or webs 10 formed thereon.

With all forms of our invention it will be noted that the edges of the upper and lower I plates 3 and 4 are curved inwardlyformin-g lips which inclose the extreme edges of the plates 1 and 2 and hence, the four plates constituting the bar are all securely tied to gether and sustain each other when stresses or strains are put upon the bar from any direction. I

While we have illustrated no particular means for securing the plates 1 and 2 to the plates 3 and 4, it is, of course, to be understood that these plates can be rigidly connected in any manner well known in the art.

Itis, of course, to be understood that several plates forming the bar are preferably of relatively thin sheet steel so as to embody the maximum of strength and durability with the least possible weight, but it is also possible that other materials than steel may be employed and other slight modifications in shape might be resorted to without departing from our invention. We therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but consider ourselves at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim: 1. A. bar of the character described, com prisinga pair of plates having their intermediate portions secured together and flared apart at opposite sides of their point of conmentioned plates and having their edges bent inwardly confining the edges of the first-mentioned lates.

2. A bar of t e character described, com- 5 prising a pair of plates forming the Web of the bar, said plates secured together at their intermediate portions and flared apart above and below their points of connection, outwardly projecting flanges at the edges of the plates, and other plates located at the ends 10 of the Webs and positioned against the flanges said flanges and last-mentioned plates having inwardly curved edges.

' EDWARD EUGENE BROWN.

DERMOT JOSEPH MOONEY. 

